Impressive achievement of female student from village school who won top prize in Chemistry at provincial level

Journey of overcoming difficulties

Every day, to get to school, Dang Thi Kieu has to cycle a distance of over 9km. Because her house is in Hamlet 4, Xuan Son Commune - Do Luong, a hamlet far from the commune center, bordering Thanh Chuong District.

In the early evening of November, my small house at the top of the hill was filled with joy. My family had just heard the news that I had passed the exam.valedictorianChemistry at the provincial excellent student exam in the 2020 school year. She, her father, mother and younger brother, who is in grade 10, chatted excitedly about Kieu's recent achievements.

The study corner is filled with Kieu's certificates. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Kieu's academic achievements are truly remarkable. From grade 1 to grade 4, Kieu was an excellent student at school, and in grade 5, she won first prize in the district's Math competition for children. In grade 2, Kieu passed the entrance exam with high scores to Ly Nhat Quang Secondary School, but because her house was far away, her family decided to let her study at the commune's secondary school. Although studying at the village school, Kieu always maintained good academic performance, and in grade 6, she won second prize in Math in the entire Do Luong district. In grade 7, she won an Encouragement Prize in Math, and in grade 8, she won second prize in Chemistry in the district's excellent student competition.

Dang Thi Kieu's mother does everything to earn extra income to support her children's education. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Entering grade 9, Kieu won first prize in Chemistry at the school.provincial excellent student exam, was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Studying at Do Luong 1 High School, in grades 10 and 11, Kieu won first prize in Chemistry. At the recent provincial excellent student competition, Kieu won first prize in Chemistry with a score of 19.5/20.

Hardworking, humble and passionate

Sharing her own learning experience, Kieu said: “When studying at school, I always complete my homework during the day. In addition, to study well, I buy books for reference such as: Chemistry Olympiad, collection of excellent provincial students' questions from previous years. At the same time, I borrow books from friends to study. In addition to study time, in my free time, I buy skill books to read. If there is anything I do not understand, I ask my teachers and friends. To study well in Chemistry, I have to master the knowledge of textbooks, do the basic exercises in the book carefully, then do the advanced exercises. After doing different types of exercises, I need to focus on practicing many types of questions to grasp the skills as well as experience in solving difficult questions. At the same time, participate in mock competitions organized by the school.”

In addition to growing rice, Kieu's parents also grow tea and fruit trees to earn extra income to support their children's education. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Every day, in addition to going to school, Kieu often helps her parents cook rice, pick vegetables, and pick tea leaves in the late afternoon. Kieu's family's life is still difficult. Both her father and mother are farmers, earning their main income from 5 sao of rice fields, a few rows of tea, and a few fruit trees in the garden. During the off-season, her father often works as a construction worker to earn extra income to support Kieu and her sister's education.

Kieu's family at her eldest sister's wedding in Vung Tau. Photo: NVCC

Kieu's family has 4 sisters and the special thing is that all 4 sisters are excellent students. The two eldest sisters both graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, one is a general practitioner, the other is a dentist. After Kieu, there is a younger brother who is studying in class 10T1 at Do Luong 1 High School, and has always been an excellent student in Math from grade 1 to grade 10.

Kieu is an intelligent, hard-working, modest student, conscious in studying, with the will to rise up in difficult circumstances. In particular, she has a great passion for Chemistry. She always tries hard to research and improve her knowledge to complete the assigned exercises well, always being a shining example for her friends to follow.

Mr. Dang Sy Nam - Chemistry teacher, homeroom teacher of class 12T1, Do Luong 1 High School

Besides going to school, Kieu often helps her parents with housework every day. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Mr. Nam shared more about his experience in teaching Chemistry: “In teaching gifted students, I always research and update knowledge according to new trends. I mainly focus on developing students’ self-study ability. With difficult exercises, I guide students on how to solve them and they have to research and come up with the best solution themselves.”

In addition to the honor of having Dang Thi Kieu win first prize in Chemistry, Do Luong 1 High School also has many students winning high prizes in this year's provincial excellent student competition and is the 4th ranked school in the province.